AMA-Con: The Compilation

The Sum of Love: Exchange

9:30am

July 13, 2018

Baler, Dinalungan City, Aurora, Philippines

"Are you sure, Maine? That is a big accusation. I know that there are senators already involved but the president is on a completely different level. You're talking about taking down the leader of our nation. That is the biggest scandal if ever."

Maine looked at Richard with a pained expression.

"I know, Chard. Until now, I can't believe it but he's also donating. It's the same exact pattern as the others. He's even doing it under his wife and children's name!"

"But don't you guys see the problem here?" Zedrick asked the couple. "Yes, we have proof that they are donating but what if they play it as they didn't know that the charities were bogus? You know they will play the dumb card and act like victims."

"Unless you have?" Richard turned to his fiancée and let his question hang. Maine knew immediately what he meant. She nodded and finally admitted to the biggest secret she has been holding onto for months. The network knew what she was up to but they didn't know that her investigation has reached such great lengths in just a few months. She refused to tell them about the president's involvement until she finalized the details of the case.

"Yes. I have four whistleblowers. One of them is coming directly from the office of the President."

"Where did you find them? How were you able to convince them?"

"I didn't find them. They came to me."

Zedrick leaned back and looked at the ceiling. Both he and Richard feel drained from what they just heard. He sat back up and looked at his partner pointedly. The other man knew immediately what his stare meant.

"You know what this means, A. This is what we needed. Our case was already strong but this will solidify it." Richard nodded and squeezed Maine's hand. He saw her looking at him questioningly. He was about to ignore and pretend he didn't see when Zedrick spoke again. "Screw it, A. Tell her. She just became a part of our case anyway."

"What are you guys talking about?"

"Maine, Z and I are finalizing our case in three months. We will be submitting our findings and the information we collected for the past three years to the Department of Justice in September. I was planning of going home in three months."

"You are?" Maine yelled excitedly. She embraced Richard. Her thoughts flitted back to her desire to start planning their wedding. She didn't have to wait long after all! She happily thought. Maine was grinning ear to ear then it turned suddenly to a frown. "But what do you mean this is what you needed? Did my investigation affect your findings? Did I mess up your case, Chard?"

"No, it's quite the opposite love. You actually sped it up."

--

10:30am

July 14, 2018

Baler, Dinalungan City, Aurora, Philippines

"Here, hold this." Richard handed his fiancée a Smith-Wesson 686 revolver. It was tiny with a wooden brown handle, and steel trigger and barrel. "This is already loaded, love. You just have to point and shoot. Make sure they are close to you before firing. You can quickly disarm them-"

"I don't know, Chard. I never used a gun before. What if I hurt you?"

"Love, you won't and you really need to learn this. We don't know what will happen that day. You need to learn how to protect yourself.